Sainsbury's has revealed a jump in half-year profits despite falling recent sales after its Argos business was knocked by supply chain challenges and easing demand following the lifting of pandemic restrictions.
The supermarket giant reported a 23 per cent hike in underlying pre-tax profits to £371m for the 28 weeks to September 18.
On a statutory basis, it swung to a £541 million pre-tax profit from losses of £137m a year earlier.
Like-for-like group sales, excluding fuel, rose 0.3 per cent overall in the first half, but slipped 1.4 per cent in the second quarter after general merchandise sales tumbled.
It comes just two weeks after Sainsbury’s announced plans to close its store at Craigavon's Rushmere Shopping Centre early next year, reducing its store count in the north from 13 to 12.
Total Argos sales slumped 12 per cent year-on-year in the second quarter, with the group blaming "supply challenges, unseasonal weather and lower demand for home office equipment and technology" in the second quarter.
The supermarket's general merchandise sales also dropped eight per cent in the second quarter, as it came up against a tough quarter a year ago when demand was boosted amid pandemic restrictions.
But the group insisted it was "well placed" to cope with the mounting supply chain issues and labour shortages.
It also kept its full-year profit outlook of "at least" £660m, up from £356m made in 2020-21.
Simon Roberts, chief executive of Sainsbury's, said: "Our industry faces labour and supply chain challenges.
"However our scale, advanced cost saving programme, logistics operations and strong supplier relationships put us in a good position as we head into Christmas."
Retailers and supermarkets have been battling amid global supply chain disruption and a lorry driver shortage in the UK that has increasingly left shelves bare and led to delivery delays.
But Mr Roberts wrote to customers last week to reassure them that there would be plenty of products available in stores this Christmas despite the challenges in the supply chain.
The sector is also seeing shopper demand wane after being sent soaring during lockdowns, when non-essential retailers were forced to close.
Mr Roberts said: "Whilst customers are returning to many pre-pandemic shopping habits, online sales have remained very strong and we continue to grow market share."
Its interim results showed total grocery sales rose 0.8 per cent in both the first and second quarters, down from growth of 10.5 per cent and 5.1 per cent a year ago.
